November Slump? Not This Year

Fall and winter can be times to slow down, spend more time indoors and be reflective. According to the Mayo Clinic, reduced sunlight during winter may affect serotonin levels, which can affect your mood. We gathered some tips to help you avoid falling into an endless cycle of school, studying and commuting in the dark.

So, we asked our student contributors what they’re doing to decompress this time of year and most importantly, how they keep it fun. Life can feel like it’s slowing down, but that doesn’t mean you need to curl up in a ball and hibernate until next spring. Some of these tips may surprise you, but hopefully they can still help.

Taking a break from school can help when assignments and midterms start to feel like the be-all and end-all. For me, finding time to cosy up and slow down helps me stay content in winter. I catch up on my favourite shows and work through my watch-and-read list. Sometimes distractions are good, especially when they involve rewatching the first season of Twin Peaks.

But what about that sense of adventure and restlessness you might feel?

In the summer, it’s easy to go out and do something fun. Winter takes a little more creativity. Our student contributors shared some unconventional ways to decompress, from archery and hockey to making new connections in unexpected places.

Here are a few ideas to make November feel a little more like July.

Coffee Run Challenge

By Mackenzie Kelly

I talk to strangers for a living. Off the clock, though, my headphones go in and I’d rather die than ask the person beside me anything.

So, this November I’m breaking the loop.

Every time you grab a coffee, ask one stranger what they’ve been listening to lately. Then ask why. That’s where it gets good. Whatever they say, play it on your walk home.

By December, you’ll have a playlist you didn’t pick, built from thirty tiny moments when you looked up instead of down.

The point isn’t the answer, it’s the connection. Take one earbud out.

Protect Your Downtime

By Parisa Saqib

When everything’s due at once, I just try not to rush it. The one thing that actually helped was taking my lunch break away from my desk.

Even that alone makes a difference.

It sounds small, but it resets my head better than anything else. I still live off my calendar and to-do list, but I make myself schedule hobbies and rest days the same way I schedule work. If I don’t protect that downtime, I burn out, so I stopped treating it as optional.

Turns out making time for rest is what makes everything else work.

Archery

By Quan Nguyen

Something I’ve picked up recently that has helped me get out of a slump is archery. I find that archery helps because you can either enjoy it with friends, or practice by yourself when you want to stay calm and collected. Additionally, not many people do archery in the first place, so it’s a great way to try something unique.

One important tip for beginners is to not fret too much on landing your shot. Most of the preparation takes place right before you let the arrow fly. Staying calm and managing your draw are things that help you improve before you fire your arrow.

You don’t need your own equipment to get started either. Most places have rentals you can use. Around BCIT Burnaby Campus, you can enjoy some casual archery at Rec Room. You can also stop by BCIT Rec Services and try their archery sessions on Thursday evenings, which are open to everyone. Both are great places to learn and get involved in archery.

Embrace the Hockey Season

By Hilary Horrobin

The best way to conquer the November blues is to embrace Vancouver’s hockey community. With multiple games each week, there’s almost always a Canucks or Goldeneyes game to look forward to.

These games are social, with fans gathering at restaurants and bars to cheer or lament together. For those that prefer to watch from home, the online hockey community is just a click away on sites like Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, and Reddit.

Within a few weeks you’ll be immersed in the Vancouver hockey scene, getting to know the players, following the stories, and hoping this will be a season to remember.